Caltech astronomer John Johnson, co-author of a newly published study on the formation of planetary systems , calls the distribution of planets in our galaxy “mind-boggling.” His team’s are the latest in a string of predictions that pin the number of planets in the Milky Way at upwards of 100-billion . And these are conservative estimates. More »
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The number of planets in our galaxy alone is downright staggering
Ever notice a dirty lotus leaf? How about a wet one? Of course you haven’t. Lotus leaves are so hydrophobic that they can be dry in a rainstorm, while still using the rainstorm to clean themselves off. Now nanotechnology developers are trying to mimic the Lotus Effect. More »
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Superhydrophobia spawns the Lotus Effect
Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of the private spaceflight company SpaceX, has announced an ambitious plan to colonize Mars by shuttling 80,000 pioneers to the Red Planet at a cost of $500,000 a trip. The first phase of the program, which is contingent on the development of reusable rocket that can take off and land vertically, would start off modestly with only a handful of explorers leaving Earth at a time. But in short order, the self-sustaining population could grow into something far greater. More »
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SpaceX founder unveils plan to send 80,000 people to Mars
A few months ago, physicist Harold White stunned the aeronautics world when he announced that he and his team at NASA had begun work on the development of a faster-than-light warp drive. His proposed design, an ingenious re-imagining of an Alcubierre Drive, may eventually result in an engine that can transport a spacecraft to the nearest star in a matter of weeks — and all without violating Einstein’s law of relativity. We contacted White at NASA and asked him to explain how this real life warp drive could actually work. More »
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How NASA might build its very first warp drive
Stents have long been used in medicine for keeping blocked arteries open, along with various other tubes of the body that are prone to blockage and collapse. Now, this same concept has been shrunk down to a minute size, and might soon be finding a home in your eyeballs. More »
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How a tiny eye implant could save your vision from glaucoma
The Maya civilization was among the most advanced in history, and its disintegration has perplexed researchers for ages. One of the most compelling theories to date suggests that a shifting climate, playing puppeteer to sociopolitical marionettes, had a devastating role in the Maya’s downfall. Now, researchers have combined remarkably detailed climate data — recorded in a Central American stalagmite — with historical records to help determine what really happened to this mysterious Mesoamerican society. More »
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What destroyed the Maya? We have a new clue, in the form of an ancient stalagmite.
Stop what you’re doing. Watch this. Repeat after us: What the ever-loving what?! More »
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This is one of the most impressive juggling routines we’ve ever seen
angry tapir writes “Choice, a prominent Australian consumer advocacy group, has urged Australians to obfuscate their IP address to avoid geo-blocking and use US forwarding addresses to beat high IT prices. Australia is currently in the middle of parliamentary inquiry into the country’s disproportionately high prices for technology. Choice also suggested setting up US iTunes accounts and using surrogate US addresses for forwarding packages from American stores. Choice has noted previously that Australians pay 52 per cent more for digital music downloads on iTunes compared to US users.” Read more of this story at Slashdot.
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Australians Urged To Spoof IP Addresses For Better Prices
Benjamin J. Heckendorn, more easily known as Ben Heck, makes a lot of cool stuff. More »
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Master Modder Makes Xbox 360 Into A Surprisingly Sleek and Slim Laptop